Vogue’s Holiday Playlist

For most of us, it’s a time of decorating trees, frosting cookies, lighting candles, and mixing eggnog. But for a select few, the yearly building of the holiday playlist has become a Yuletide ritual not to be trifled with (unless it’s a dessert trifle). As was once the case with the mix tape and mix CD, there are endless strategies. A certain type of maestro sticks to the old standards. Another loves only contemporary takes on the classic carols. But a true playlist prima donna conjures holiday cheer out of an unexpected mix of the year’s great songs.

Here, we follow the prima donna path. We seek out beautiful songs. Some are upbeat; some slow and soulful. Some touch on themes of renewal, forgiveness, or love. Many simply possess lyrics or instrumentation that “feel” right. But we will admit to hedging a little. Mixed in is the occasional song from recent pop Christmas albums, just to keep the mood spot-on and the Grinch at bay.

So download this list whole, or consider it as a starting point on the way to your own creation. Then deck the halls with speakers because when the holidays roll around: Nobody likes a silent night.